Safe
North Carolina, United States
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Last reviewed:
Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Charlotte?
Yes, tap water in Charlotte is safe to drink. It's drawn from the Catawba River system, treated by Charlotte Water to meet all EPA standards.
Hardness
Soft
pH
7.2–7.7
TDS
ranges 60–120 ppm
EPA Status
Compliant
Soft
Moderate
Hard
Very Hard
Water Source
Charlotte Water draws from the Catawba River via Mountain Island Lake, treating it at two main plants before distribution across the metro area.
EPA Compliance Status
Meets all federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
Notable Contaminants & Context
- •No significant compliance concerns
- •Regional growth pressure on the Catawba River basin is an ongoing water-supply planning topic among multiple municipalities that share the river, not a current safety issue
How It Compares
The Catawba River basin is shared by multiple fast-growing Piedmont-region municipalities, making regional water-sharing agreements and long-term supply planning an active policy topic distinct from day-to-day water safety.
Tips
- •Charlotte Water publishes an annual water quality report
- •No need for bottled water around the city
- •Piedmont river sourcing generally produces soft, mild-tasting water
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & References
The safety rating and guidance on this page draw on the following sources. See our full methodology.
- •US EPA Safe Drinking Water Act regulations
- •EWG Tap Water Database
- •The utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)
- •WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality